Market analysis

On this page

• Targeted program
• Interpreting survey results
• Surveys available

Targeted program

From time to time the Authority undertakes targeted surveys of food available in NSW to:

• ensure it is safe and complies with food standards, and
• inform food regulators about what is available.

The surveys may concentrate on one:

• type of food, such as kebabs
• aspect of food, such as presence of gluten, or
• standard, such as labelling.

The surveys are sometimes coordinated with participants from local government, interstate and federal bodies or other NSW departments. They may be part of FSANZ's Bi-National Surveillance and Enforcement Strategy in which food and health agencies in Australia and NZ discuss and share information about the food chain.

Interpreting survey results

Food legislation does not contain microbiological standards for every food.

The Authority has developed a guide to criteria used to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat foods in surveys it undertakes. It also indicates follow-up actions the Authority may take in response to findings.

The 4 categories of microbiological quality for ready-to-eat foods in the guide are:

• good
• acceptable
• unsatisfactory, and
• potentially hazardous.

Interpretations for each category are included in the guide.

• Microbiological quality guide for ready-to-eat food, July 2009 9pp, pdf 246KB

Surveys available

Survey reports published or authored by the Authority include:

• bakery products and their microbiological quality
• bakery products: savoury pastries microbiological quality
• fresh-cut leafy salad vegetables
• gluten presence in foods labelled 'gluten free'
• kebabs and their microbiological quality
• smallgood meats, ready-to-eat
• sushi handling and microbiological quality
• trans fatty acids levels 

Reports are published here as they become available.